U.S. patent application number 15/794623 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for agricultural utility vehicle having a power takeoff and method for operating the power takeoff.
The applicant listed for this patent is Deere & Company. Invention is credited to VALENTIN GRESCH, MARTIN KREMMER.
Application Number | 20180116125 15/794623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60186083 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180116125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRESCH; VALENTIN ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
AGRICULTURAL UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING A POWER TAKEOFF AND METHOD FOR
OPERATING THE POWER TAKEOFF
Abstract
An agricultural utility vehicle includes a working power takeoff
drivable by means of an internal combustion engine for operating an
implement. The utility vehicle further includes an auxiliary power
takeoff, which can be driven by an energy storage device and is
coupled to the working power takeoff in such a manner that the
working power takeoff is additionally driven at least transiently
by the auxiliary power takeoff.
Inventors: |
GRESCH; VALENTIN; (Ensheim,
DE) ; KREMMER; MARTIN; (Mannheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deere & Company |
Moline |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60186083 |
Appl. No.: |
15/794623 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Y 2200/221 20130101;
B60K 25/06 20130101; A01F 15/0841 20130101; B60R 16/03 20130101;
B60K 17/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01F 15/08 20060101
A01F015/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2016 |
DE |
102016221311.3 |
Claims
1. Agriculture utility vehicle, comprising: an internal combustion
engine; an implement; an energy storage device; a working power
takeoff operably driven by the internal combustion engine in order
to operate the implement; and an auxiliary power takeoff operably
coupled to and driven by the energy storage device, wherein the
auxiliary power takeoff is coupled to the working power takeoff
such that the working power takeoff is at least transiently driven
by the auxiliary power takeoff.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power takeoff is
operably functional as an additional drive during an elevated load
torque or during a load torque peak at the working power
takeoff.
3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device
comprises an energy storage unit for storing kinetic energy from
the auxiliary power takeoff.
4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the energy storage device
comprises a flywheel mass.
5. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the energy storage device
comprises an electrical energy storage unit.
6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the energy storage device
comprises an electrical machine operably connected to the
electrical energy storage unit and the auxiliary power takeoff.
7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the electrical machine comprises
a motor function and a generator function.
8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the working power takeoff is
constructed as a rear power takeoff and the auxiliary power takeoff
is constructed as a front power takeoff.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is
arranged on or in a three-point hitch.
10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the implement is designed as a
large baler.
11. A method for driving a working power takeoff of an agricultural
utility vehicle, comprising: providing an internal combustion
engine, an implement, an energy storage device, and an auxiliary
power takeoff; operably driving the working power takeoff by the
internal combustion engine; controllably operating the implement by
the working power takeoff; operably driving the auxiliary power
takeoff by the energy storage device; coupling the working power
takeoff to the auxiliary power takeoff; and at least partially
driving the working power takeoff in a transient manner by the
auxiliary power takeoff.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining an
operating information item of the implement in operation; and
depending on the operating information item, defining a time or a
period of time in which the working power takeoff is operably
driven by the auxiliary power takeoff.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the implement is designed as a
large baler.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to German Application Ser.
No. 102016221311.3, filed Oct. 28, 2016, the disclosure of which is
hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an agricultural utility
vehicle having a power takeoff for operating an implement. The
method further relates to a method for driving a power takeoff of
an agricultural utility vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A work system consisting of a tractor and a square baler is
known from U.S. Publication Ser. No. 2010/0115902A1. The square
baler is driven via a power takeoff of the tractor. The rear power
takeoff is in turn driven via a gear unit by the internal
combustion engine of the tractor. The output torque of the internal
combustion engine is modified depending on the determined load data
from the square baler.
[0004] The invention addresses the problem of driving a power
takeoff of an agricultural vehicle in an energy-efficient manner
for operating an implement with low expense.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an agricultural
utility vehicle (e.g. a traction vehicle or a tractor) has an
internal combustion engine which, in particular by means of a
suitable clutch, gear stage or the like, drives a power takeoff of
the utility vehicle. This power takeoff (hereinafter "working power
takeoff") in turn operates, with its kinetic energy, an implement
(e.g., a big baler). The utility vehicle additionally includes a
further power takeoff (hereinafter "auxiliary power takeoff") that
can be driven by the stored energy and energy storage device. It is
provided that the auxiliary power takeoff is coupled to the working
power takeoff in such a manner that the working power takeoff can
be driven not only by the internal combustion engine, but also by
the auxiliary power takeoff, at least transiently.
[0006] In this manner, discrete or cyclically occurring peak loads
of the implement, which are transmitted via the gear unit thereof
to the working power takeoff of the utility vehicle, can be
compensated at the working power takeoff by additionally driving it
transiently with the auxiliary power takeoff. Thereby, conventional
effects when operating the implement, such as a drop in the
rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and the speed of
the utility vehicle when torque or load peaks occur at the working
power takeoff, can be reduced or completely eliminated in a
technically simple manner. This supports the internal combustion
engine of the utility vehicle and a uniform working operation for
the implement. It is also possible to operate the internal
combustion engine in a virtually stationary state, whereby a
corresponding reduction of the fuel consumption or emission values
is achieved.
[0007] The term "at least transiently" includes defined or
predetermined times or periods of time in which the auxiliary power
takeoff is driven by the energy storage device and is drivingly
coupled to the working power takeoff. At these times or in these
periods of time, the auxiliary power takeoff is then in an
assistance mode for assisting the rotational driving of the working
power takeoff.
[0008] Depending on the respective embodiment of the utility
vehicle and the gear stages between the internal combustion engine
and the power takeoffs, the auxiliary power takeoff can be driven
under certain operating conditions by the internal combustion
engine or the working power takeoff if the auxiliary power takeoff
is not in the above-mentioned assistance mode thereof. It is also
possible in principle for the working power takeoff and the
auxiliary power takeoff to be driven independently of one another
and, when necessary (e.g., during an assistance mode), coupled to
one another in a defined manner.
[0009] In order for the auxiliary power takeoff to be able to
efficiently assist the working power takeoff, an energy storage
device is designed as a device that enables storage and regulated
or controlled output of energy to the auxiliary power takeoff.
[0010] The energy storage device supplies the auxiliary power
takeoff with kinetic energy if an elevated load torque or a load
torque peak is acting on the working power takeoff.
[0011] In principle, an energy accumulator of the energy storage
device can be implemented in different manners. For example,
electrical energy storage, mechanical energy storage (e.g., by
means of a spring mechanism) or hydraulic energy storage (e.g., by
means of a pressure accumulator) are conceivable.
[0012] In another embodiment, the energy storage device has an
energy accumulator that stores energy generated by the auxiliary
power takeoff itself (other than in assistance mode). This avoids
expensive additional energy sources on the utility vehicle and
supports the energy-saving character in the desired assistance of
the working power takeoff by the auxiliary power takeoff.
[0013] The energy storage device has a flywheel mass. The flywheel
mass can store energy and then output it. In particular, the
flywheel mass is designed as a flywheel. For an efficient usage of
the flywheel mass, it can be simply connected to the auxiliary
power takeoff. When the auxiliary power takeoff is coupled to the
working power takeoff in the assistance mode, the flywheel mass of
the auxiliary power takeoff supplements the drive torque of the
working power takeoff and thus the working energy of the implement
(e.g., a flywheel mass of the implement). In comparison to a
correspondingly larger flywheel mass on the implement, the flywheel
mass on the auxiliary power takeoff has the advantage that the
total drive torque is less because the working power takeoff and
the auxiliary power takeoff are coupled to one another only to
compensate for load peaks on the working power takeoff.
[0014] In another embodiment, the energy storage device has an
electrical energy storage unit. It may it be designed, for example,
as a super-capacitor.
[0015] It is advantageous in this regard to connect the electrical
energy storage unit to an electrical machine that is coupled to the
auxiliary power takeoff. The electrical machine has at least one
motor function and can output electrical energy from the energy
storage unit as kinetic energy to the auxiliary power takeoff.
[0016] The electrical machine advantageously also has a generator
function so that kinetic energy produced by the auxiliary power
takeoff outside of assistance mode can be stored as electrical
energy and output again as kinetic energy to the auxiliary power
takeoff when necessary. In this way, the electrical machine can be
actuated to perform a motor or generator function depending on
operating information from the implement. This may be derived, for
example, from the temporally expected load torques at the working
power takeoff.
[0017] The working power takeoff is designed as a rear-end power
takeoff and the auxiliary power takeoff as a front-end power
takeoff. In particular, the energy storage device can be removable
so that it can be mounted optionally at the front or rear power
takeoff acting as the working power takeoff, in which case the
respective other power takeoff constitutes the auxiliary power
takeoff.
[0018] The energy storage device is advantageously arranged
mechanically stably in a three-point hitch available as standard on
the utility vehicle. In addition, the distance between the
auxiliary power takeoff and the energy storage device can be kept
small and any losses in energy transmission between the two parts
can be negligible.
[0019] The method for driving a working power takeoff of an
agricultural utility vehicle presumes that an internal combustion
engine of the utility vehicle drives the power takeoff of the
utility vehicle, and in particular, via a suitable clutch, gear
stage or the like.
[0020] In one embodiment of a method in this disclosure, an item of
operating information (e.g., pressing force, implement status,
pressing piston position, etc.) of the active or operating
implement is determined. Depending on the operating information, a
time or period of time is defined in which a further power takeoff,
or an auxiliary power takeoff, of the utility vehicle is coupled to
the working power takeoff such that the working power takeoff is
additionally driven by the auxiliary power takeoff, the auxiliary
power takeoff being supplied for this purpose with kinetic energy
from an energy storage device. At defined or predetermined times or
periods of time, the auxiliary power takeoff is thus in an
assistance mode for assisting the rotary driving of the working
power takeoff. With regard to the advantages of this assistance
mode (such as compensating for peak loads appearing at the working
power takeoff, reducing or avoiding decreasing the rotational speed
of the internal combustion engine and the speed of the utility
vehicle when torque or load peaks occur at the working power
takeoff, etc.), the reader is referred to the above
explanations.
[0021] The above-mentioned assistance mode of the auxiliary power
takeoff is used with a big baler as the implement. When the big
baler is active, heavy cyclical peak loads are caused by the
pressing piston and are transmitted via the gear unit of the baler
to the working power takeoff of the utility vehicle. The torque
peaks of the working power takeoff resulting from this can be
compensated in the assistance mode of the auxiliary power
takeoff.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and
the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the
disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the
following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an agricultural utility vehicle with a
schematically illustrated implement at its rear;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic-like representation of a working
system consisting of the utility vehicle and the implement of FIG.
1; and
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the front region of the utility vehicle of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In FIG. 1, an embodiment of an agricultural utility vehicle
10 is in the form of a tractor having a cab, a front axle 14, and
an internal combustion engine 16 for driving at least a rear axle
18. An implement 20 is operated with respect to its working
function by means of a rear power takeoff (hereinafter working
power takeoff 22) and is present at the rear area of the utility
vehicle 10. A front three-point hitch 24, which supports a
removable energy supply device 26, is present at the front end of
the utility vehicle 10. The energy storage device 26 has the
purpose of driving a front power takeoff (hereinafter auxiliary
power takeoff 28).
[0027] In the region of the cab 12 there is an operating element 30
for activating and deactivating the working power takeoff 22 and an
operating element 32 for activating and deactivating the auxiliary
power takeoff 28, among other things. In addition, an appropriate
transmission ratio can be preselected and the power takeoff
rotational speed can be limited by means of the operating elements
30, 32.
[0028] FIG. 2 schematically shows individual details of the
interaction of the utility vehicle 10 with the implement 20. The
two power takeoffs 22, 28 can be driven by a suitable gearbox
device 34 and the drivetrain of the utility vehicle independently
of one another by the internal combustion engine 16.
[0029] The auxiliary power takeoff 28 can additionally be coupled
via the gearbox device 34 to the working power takeoff 22 in such a
manner that the auxiliary power takeoff 28 simply runs at the speed
of the working power takeoff 22, which is achieved by the driving
of the working power takeoff 22 by the internal combustion engine
16. In addition, the auxiliary power takeoff 28 can be coupled in
an assistance mode to the working power takeoff 22 in such a manner
that, at defined times or periods of time, the working power
takeoff 22 is not driven only by the internal combustion engine 16,
but also by the auxiliary power takeoff 28, in order to compensate
for elevated load torques or load torque peaks at the working power
takeoff 22.
[0030] In FIG. 2, an implement 20 in the form of a large baler 36
is operated by means of the working power takeoff 22. The big baler
36 includes a flywheel 38 which, optionally via intervening
additional components for transmitting force, is drivingly coupled
to the working power takeoff 22. A pressing gear unit 40, which
operates a pressing piston 42, is connected to the flywheel 38.
Depending on the design, additional components for force
transmission (not shown) can be provided between the flywheel 38,
the pressing gear unit 40 and the pressing piston 42.
[0031] The energy storage device 26 according to FIG. 2 contains an
alternating current machine 44 that can be used as a motor and a
generator, an AC/DC converter 46, an energy storage unit 48
designed as a super-capacitor, and a control unit 50. The control
unit 50 is connected via a data bus 52 of the utility vehicle 10 to
a control unit 54 of the implement 20 or the large baler 36. In
this way, the control unit 50 of the energy storage device 26 can
receive data and information regarding expected load cycles of the
implement 20 or the large baler 36. The energy storage device can
be controlled in such a manner that the alternating current machine
44 is active as a generator during a low-load period of time (e.g.,
with torques M of approximately M.sub.N), so that mechanical energy
available at the auxiliary power takeoff is stored as electrical
energy in the energy storage unit 48. During the elevated load or
peak load generated by the implement 20 or the large baler 36
(e.g., in the period t.sub.1 to t.sub.2), the alternating current
machine 44 operates as a motor and outputs the stored energy back
to the auxiliary power takeoff 28, which thereby additionally
drives the drive shaft 22 in an assistance mode. The control unit
50 regulates the torque of the alternating current machine 44
operating as a motor, based on received or determined predictive
load information from the implement 20 or the large baler 36.
[0032] Due to the pressing piston 42 in the large baler 36, high
cyclical peak loads, i.e., torques M that are greater than a
low-load torque M.sub.N and can reach a peak torque M.sub.S (see
schematic diagram in FIG. 1) are generated and can be transmitted
via the pressing gear unit 40 to the working power takeoff 22 of
the utility vehicle 10. This can lead to a decrease of the
rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 16 and a
decrease of the forward speed of the utility vehicle 10 in working
operation. In order to compensate for the elevated loads or peak
loads, the working power takeoff 22 is additionally driven by the
auxiliary power takeoff 28 at defined times or periods of time
(e.g., t.sub.S, or t.sub.1 to t.sub.2). For this purpose, an
information item of the active big baler 36 is determined in the
embodiment according to FIG. 2. This operating information item can
be a position P.sub.K and a pressing force F.sub.P of the pressing
piston 42, for example. On the basis of this information,
predictive load information is determined, particularly a load
torque M to be expected or a load peak M>M.sub.N and the
associated time t.sub.1, t.sub.S, t.sub.2 or time period t.sub.1 to
t.sub.2. It is thereby possible to define times or periods of time
in which the auxiliary power takeoff 28 is coupled to the working
power takeoff 22 and supplied with kinetic energy in such a manner
that the working power takeoff 22 is additionally driven by the
auxiliary power takeoff 28.
[0033] While the energy storage device 26 according to FIG. 2 can
be considered an electrically active flywheel mass or electrically
active flywheel, the energy storage device 26 in the embodiment of
FIG. 3 has a mechanical flywheel mass 56 that is connected to the
auxiliary power takeoff 28.
[0034] While embodiments incorporating the principles of the
present disclosure have been described hereinabove, the present
disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead,
this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or
adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles.
Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from
the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice
in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within
the limits of the appended claims.
* * * * *